Men's Basketball

2009-10 MIT Mens Basketball Season Preview

Nov 16, 2009

THE SKINNY

A year following the program's most memorable campaign in
decades, MIT returns to the hardwood in 2009-10 with lofty goals
and a confident outlook toward putting together another good
season. On the surface, it would be preposterous to declare the
Engineers a better basketball team after losing D3Hoops National
Player of the Year, Jimmy Bartolotta, and starting point guard,
Bradley Gampel. The duo logged a tremendous amount of minutes
during their career donning the Cardinal and Grey, with Gampel
pacing the New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference
(NEWMAC) in assists and steals, and Bartolotta closing the season
as the conference's all-time leading scorer. But despite their
absence, MIT isn't necessarily looking to rebuild, but rather
reload. The Engineers enter the season receiving votes in the
D3Hoops Top 25 preseason poll for the first time in team history,
and will quickly look to justify those expectations behind the
improved play of its returning core and a solid incoming class with
a strong passion for the game.

IN THE LEAD

Back to lead the team are tri-captains Billy Johnson,
Patrick Sissman, and Eric Zuk. Johnson
averaged 17.1 ppg last season as the team's power forward, but he
might spend a majority of his time this year at the three. Although
Johnson is 6'8", he is a constant threat from deep. Last season,
Johnson finished third in the NEWMAC in made three's (behind
teammates Bartolotta and Jamie Karraker) while averaging 7.2
boards. An All-Conference selection last season, Johnson's
leadership has served as a tremendous influence for Tech's
youth-laden squad. Sissman and Zuk, who both played significant
minutes last year, will be a critical component of the team's
success. Zuk dropped in 27 points at Suffolk as a sophomore last
season and will likely spend most of his time on the wing, although
the 6'5" forward was asked to spend most of last year playing out
of position in the middle. Sissman has a strong understanding of
the system and will once again split time at the point.

SECOND TIME
AROUND

As the first rookie class to experience a win in the NCAA
postseason, the maturation of this group will be key as MIT hopes
to replicate last season's success. 6'4" sophomore Jamie
Karraker will likely start the campaign at shooting guard
and enters the season as the team's top deep threat. Karraker shot
42% from three-point range last season while averaging nearly 2.7
makes per game. If he is able to get open looks on kick-outs and
screens, Karraker's impact could be devastating for the opposition.
Billy Bender is difficult to place, although it
isn't impossible to envision the 6'5" stat-stuffer logging minutes
at all five positions. As a freshman, Bender saved MIT's season in
the quarterfinals of the NEWMAC playoffs, while he duplicated those
heroics with terrific play in the Engineers' First Round NCAA
victory at Rhode Island College. Classmate Arni
Lehto saw limited action as a rookie, but he shot the ball
well and made good decisions when given the opportunity.

ADDITIONS

Besides an upgrade in talent, the biggest bonus for MIT entering
the new year is its significantly improved depth. Expected to lead
the way is sophomore transfer Noel Hollingsworth.
At 6'9", Hollingsworth is a complete package offensively. He sees
the floor well, can pass out of the post, and is even one of the
team's best three-point shooters when his feet are set.
Hollingsworth appeared in six games last season at Brown
University, but will likely start at the five for MIT, as he is a
true low post player with a deft touch around the basket.
Potentially taking over Johnson's place at the strong forward is
6'8" rookie Will Tashman. A bruising defender and
rebounder on the offensive end, Tashman will be asked to produce
big numbers as a freshman. He is a highly skilled player with the
ability to play with his back to the basket or step out and be a
face-up player. Fellow freshman Ben Montgomery
will also play a pivotal role in the Engineers' game-plan this
season. Montgomery is 6'8" and brings a tenacious enthusiasm
to the game every time he steps on the court. He has a good feel
for the game, and will definitely add a strong physical presence to
the front line. Although the backcourt was dealt a difficult blow
with the departure of Gampel and Bartolotta, the Engineers softened
the impact by adding rookies Mitchell Kates, Jimmy
Burke, Nick Sather, Devin
Dee, and Patrick Gichuiri. Kates, who
played the point at Exeter Academy, is the most exciting young
point guard the program has had in years. He has excellent
quickness and ball handling skills, and is feverishly working to
become a lock-down defender and a reliable shooter. Jimmy Burke
comes from a top high school program and has a great feel for the
game with the ability to set up his teammates for easy baskets as
well as consistently knock down the open jump shot. Nick
Sather brings an athletic and aggressive disposition to
court. He is a tireless worker who will help out early,
especially with his tenacity at the defensive end. Devin Dee
is a hard-working wing with an ability to knock down the open
jumper. His ability to progress into the college game will be
pivotal to the success of the team this year. Patrick
Gichuiri is a 6'4" guard from Kenya, and although he has little
game experience, he is very athletic and committed to improve.

ROAD TO THE
POSTSEASON

MIT will have little time to reflect on its second 20+ win
season in four years, the loss of its second All-American in the
same time frame, and its first NCAA tournament win. A difficult
conference slate looms as do match-ups against two of the top three
teams from the GNAC (Emmanuel and Emerson), Tufts, and Salem State,
who advanced to the NCAA Division III Sweet 16 last season. The
Engineers will also face Gordon College, who was a 20-win team in
2008-09, and will play city and academic rival Harvard University
for the first time in 24 years. The schedule also features a
tournament at always tough Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, which
will be opening a brand new facility when the Engineers come to
town the first weekend of the season.

FINAL ANALYSIS

With Bartolotta off to Italy's top professional league, some
might expect the Engineers to slink out of the national picture,
but this team has the ability to be one of the biggest surprises in
Division III. Eight of the 14 players on MIT's roster are new to
the program, but the team will prove to be a tough assignment with
its combination of size and ability. Unlike past years where MIT
has relied primarily on its strong perimeter play to propel the
offense, the difference for the Engineers this season could be its
more balanced attack which will be able to get more points around
the basket while still having a consistent perimeter attack.
Assuming the team can stay healthy and the new additions can adjust
to the college game, the Engineers have a chance to put together
another successful season in their attempt to build a team that
consistently finishes in the upper echelons of Division III
basketball.